Neech

Nothing is guaranteed in the draft, everyone is a long shot to make the NHL. We're taking a swing on size, toughness and pedigree, which is a similar idea to taking a swing on scoring talent. Josh Anderson in his draft year had 22 pts in 64 games, and played two more junior seasons without ever reaching a point per game, despite showing major improvement in scoring. He was drafted around the same position as Florian and turned out to be a home run pick in the 4th round.

He'd still be an above average 4th round pick. I agree with the philosophy outlined above, but you also want these type of players in the system. It's clear we made the pick for family reasons, though, and trusting that the growth that Arber had shown after his draft year would transfer to Florian.

McCarron who's still an NHLer 10 years after his draft? That's a fine result for a 4th rounder.

https://dubz.live/c/be00bd Lane Hutson got scrappy at the end of the gold medal game.

Ottawa already down by 5 in the first period against Vancouver, seems like their problem is much deeper than coaching. So much talent on paper. Maybe making a shithead your captain is a bad move?

Got dominated in the shot department but squeaked out a win.

Happy for Slaf to get that goal. Even if it was a bit fluky with the deflections, he's been working hard and deserves it.

Fun game, fans got their money's worth. Struble would have totally scored in the shootout.

Caufield is so snakebitten lately, maybe the shootout goal will help him get out of the funk. Barron made a pretty egregious giveaway on the second goal, hopefully he's still working those out of his system and they're more of a bug than a feature.

Love to see the growth from my large Slovakian son.

Giving the Bell Centre faithful something.

Add me to the list of people who think PLD will score in front of the home crowd. Danault just makes me sad. Here's hoping that Slaf can continue his strong two way play.

Another great value contract. If only we could find a taker for Allen now.

Struble has stepped in and not looked out place at all. Another young D-man who is projecting as an NHLer. Is there a team out there overflowing with forward prospects as much as we are with D prospects?

Matheson racks up the points but he isn't much of a veteran stabilizer for this group, he's more the type of defender who needs a stabilizer as a partner. I wouldn't mind dealing him if we can get a blue chip prospect coming back. Anderson would have had high trade value at last year's deadline or over the summer. I still think he'll recover it and net a decent return if and when we do deal him. Hopefully this is sooner rather than later, because he could turn into a pumpkin once he loses a step.

Monty made some huge stops in this game. Bourgeault and a 4th incoming?

Struble had a nice period.

Nice goal from Slaf.

All of these teams are in better position to contend than we are over the next 5-10 years, and have more actual elite players than we do. So yes, another swing would be the right move for us. More strawmanning from you. I'm simply in favour of playing the odds, and getting the most bang for our buck for our seasons of being a bad team. We got a bit unlucky the last two drafts, but hopefully we came away with some core pieces at least. I think next year we'll be in better position to not suck, but while we do, it'd be better if we draft top 3 than top 12. This guarantees nothing, it simply helps our odds. We need more elite forward talent in our core. And just to assume the position of hardcore tanquiste who you're apparently arguing with, if we did do a full on firesale last year and dump all our vets and try to lose more than we did, and end up drafting top three last season and got Fantili or Carlsson, maybe we'd be in better position to contend five years down the line? Hard to say, but it sure would be nice to have a bonafide #1C like those two guys project to be.

There's lots of strawmanning going on in here - 'tankers want this and that' - there are absolutely tanking fans who go too far. But this is the perfect year to suck again with Dach out - only 2 top 6 forwards, inexperienced D, 3 goalie carousel. We're still a bottom 10 team so it would be best to capitalize on it and be bottom 5. Now, Gorton hasn't shown any skill drafting in the top 5, but it still gives us the best chance at elite talent. I reject the notion that finishing at the bottom of the standings sets us back beyond this season. Look no further than New Jersey, who drafted 2nd then vaulted over 100 points. Tampa being held up as team that won without tanking? They made the most of their bad seasons by getting Stamkos, Hedman and Drouin (who got flipped for Sergachev) in the top 3 when they weren't competing for the playoffs. What I want is good process and bad luck on the ice. To put up a good fight and lose in regulation, and come away with our first superstar forward in 30 years.

Like it or not, drafting high is the best way to acquire top talent. Most contenders have a few swings at the top 5-10. We haven't had enough yet.

I hope we lose every game 6-5 in regulation.

Good game by Primeau despite allowing so many goals. Gally with the clutch penalty to ensure the regulation loss.

Well at least we're getting lots of goals.

Hoping for another regulation loss, with more goals this time. It would be amazing if Slaf could get a points streak going.